This study probes the differentiating characteristics of youth who prefer heavy metal (HM) music, worship music, & use music for vicarious release. Logistic regressions revealed that HM music preference & worshipping is not significantly related to suicidal risk when controlling for other risk factors, for both boys & girls. The risk of music for vicarious release was inversely related to suicidal risk for girls. These findings are discussed within the framework of Arnett’s alienation theory & Roe’s uses-gratification theory regarding adolescent socialization & media purposes. (34 refs)